$115M in federal grants will enhance smaller meat processors in 17 states

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Smaller meat and poultry operators in 17 states will obtain $115 million in grants, the U.S. Department of Agriculture introduced Thursday.

The USDA grants are the most recent in a sequence of awards the Biden administration has made which can be meant to extend meat and poultry processing, benefiting farmers and offering extra job alternatives in largely rural areas.

“While American farmers and ranchers have been responding to the demand to produce more, their communities have struggled to see their share of the benefits,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stated in an announcement forward of a gathering Thursday morning in Des Moines with producers and enterprise house owners. The members have been anticipated to speak with Vilsack about methods to strengthen and market farm and meals companies.

The funding consists of 10 awards to recipients in 12 states totaling $77 million by a program that funds the start-up or enlargement of meat and poultry processing vegetation. The awards embody $15 million to Mountain West Economic Development in Montana to increase slaughterhouse operations within the state’s Flathead Valley, and $800,000 that can go towards the Farmers Union Foundation for smaller processors in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

The USDA made 5 awards totaling $38 million by a slaughterhouse enlargement program that can assist impartial producers in 5 states.